October 13th- Lindy and Jaclyn

Life with Jacyln♥

#lifewithjaclyn

“Each year approximately 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome. In 2010, our family was blessed with one of them.

On the morning of May 5, 2010 we received the surprise of a lifetime shortly after our sweet baby girl was born via immediate C-section following a routine doctor’s appointment. She was 6 weeks early. Having no experience with DS, with this diagnosis came shock, sadness and fear. Yet, as overwhelming as it was, the only thing that brought me peace and strength during this time was to be with my baby every second I could. She stayed in NICU for 17 days and fought her way through. At 6 months old she had open heart surgery on her Daddy’s birthday to repair a complete A/V Canal and again, fought her way through. The week she turned 2 she was stricken with double pneumonia and was hospitalized for a week in a plastic bubble. Again, she fought her way through. Jaclyn has had other health issues through the years including ENT setbacks, severe respiratory complications and delayed speech– which has been her greatest obstacle. But nothing really has stopped this little girl.

Today, she is a third grader at John Shields Elementary School in Sugar Grove, Illinois where she is reading, writing and enjoying PE, art and recess. Jaclyn is being mainstreamed with 30% of her day dedicated to Special Ed for Math & Literacy. She has thrived in her Gen-Ed classroom with each new inclusive opportunity that has been presented to her, and Jaclyn loves to learn new things. She works with an Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Social Worker and Paraprofessionals who help Jaclyn reach her potential while focusing on her abilities, rather than her disabilities.

Jaclyn has been blessed to have made some special friends through the years and continues to blossom as she shares her fun loving and determined personality with those around her. Jaclyn loves to sing along to her favorite Top 40 songs and wishes she could spend every day at Raging Waves Waterpark – her favorite place on earth! At her very young age, she has already taught so many people so much. Though she will always experience cognitive delay and her diagnosis will forever be, there are so many positive, inspiring and exciting opportunities that lie ahead for her.

This is Jaclyn and she will continue to amaze us, always.

If only I could go back in time to tell my 37 year old self just how complete Jaclyn would make me as a person and as a mother, it would have saved me many tears and taken away much of the unnecessary fear. To me, she is perfect just the way she is.

Happy Down Syndrome Month to my sweet, funny, stubborn and very special 9 year old Jaclyn Nicole and to all other beautiful individuals with Down syndrome. You truly make the world a happier place and thank you GiGi’s Playhouse for celebrating these wonderful kids every day.”

– Lindy, mom to Jaclyn

Jaclyn was a model in GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley Fashion Walk 2019